This article will tell you about the 9 best martial arts for women and why they work well in real-life situations.
Crime can happen to anyone, but it's true that women are often targeted in theft, sexual crimes, and domestic abuse. Because of this, more women are signing up for martial arts and self-defense classes to stay safe.
Usually, attackers are bigger and stronger than the average woman, so it's important for women to learn basic skills to handle these situations and keep themselves safe.
You can also view out other articles like The Most Aggressive Martial Arts Disciplines, 5 MMA Must-Haves For Beginners, and Best Martial Arts For Self-Defense!
Best Martial Arts For Women
The main idea is finding the "best martial arts for women." If women face danger, it's not about sticking around to fight or hurting the person more.
That could make things worse. Instead, it's about stopping the danger quickly or keeping the person from moving so you can get help. So, here are the top 9 best martial arts for women.
1. Judo
Judo is a great martial art for women learning self-defense. It's all about fighting up close and being super efficient in bringing down opponents.
In Judo, you use things like weight, balance, and pressure to bring down someone bigger and stronger than you. This is important because, usually, attackers are stronger than the average woman.
In Judo, you'll learn moves like throws, trips, flips, and holds to take your opponent down. Plus, the training makes you stronger and more aware of your body.
A person who does Judo can be pretty tough on the streets. They can easily stop someone or even throw them down hard, making it look effortless.
2. MMA (Mixed Martial Arts)
MMA, or Mixed Martial Arts, is a combat sport that combines elements from different martial arts. It blends striking and grappling techniques. The benefits include improved fitness, flexibility, and overall fighting skills.
In MMA, you practice a mix of punches, kicks, knees, and elbows for striking. You also learn grappling techniques like wrestling and submissions.
It's about being versatile and adapting to various fighting situations. It is effective for self-defense because it covers both stand-up and ground situations. You learn to defend against different types of attacks.
The well-rounded training prepares you to handle real-life situations where you might need to protect yourself.
3. Karate
Karate made it to the list mainly because it's super strong. It teaches you how to hit really hard to quickly stop an opponent.
In today's Karate, you learn punches, kicks, grabs, takedowns, and blocks. It's not just for show—you can use these moves in real-life situations.
Parents often choose Karate and Taekwondo for their kids, especially girls, because they're popular and practical martial arts to learn from a young age.
4. Boxing
Boxing is a great martial art for women because it teaches you how to throw punches effectively. It helps you punch the right way and improves things like moving your head, footwork, reacting quickly, and lasting longer.
Most attacks happen when you're standing, and that's where Boxing is useful. It mainly focuses on hitting with your fists, making your hands really good at throwing punches.
With this skill, you can aim for sensitive spots like the liver, nose, throat, jaw, groin, kidneys, and more. Since you've been trained, you'll likely hit accurately.
Hitting these important areas can knock out an attacker or make them feel a lot of pain. This gives you a chance to leave safely and get help if needed.
5. Kickboxing
Kickboxing is great for self-defense because it teaches practical moves to protect yourself. It focuses on using your legs for powerful kicks, and you learn to keep a safe distance from trouble. It boosts confidence and helps women feel more secure.
In kickboxing, you throw punches, kicks, and knee strikes. You also do cardio exercises and work on your flexibility. It's like a high-energy dance that builds strength and burns calories.
6. Muay Thai
Muay Thai got its nickname, "The Art of Eight Limbs," because it teaches you to use all your body parts as weapons - hands, elbows, knees, and legs.
Muay Thai fighters are powerful and can handle themselves well. It's meant for anyone facing a dangerous situation because it trains you to use whatever you've got.
This martial art is tough, so it's better for younger folks or those already pretty fit. Muay Thai isn't just about self-defense; it also builds discipline and a healthy lifestyle.
People trained in Muay Thai can hit really hard. Picture taking a knee or elbow strike; it hurts a lot. In a real-life situation, like on the streets, using these moves can help you get away safely!
7. Brazilian Jiu Jitsu
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is a great martial art for self-defense, especially if your attacker is bigger or stronger. By learning and using BJJ moves well, you can control and stop the attacker.
BJJ is mainly about grappling on the ground. It involves takedowns, holds, and submission locks. It's proven to work well in real-life situations and self-defense.
The cool thing about BJJ is that you have many ways to attack and defend. Chokes can make the attacker pass out, joint locks can make their joints move unnaturally, and some moves can even break bones!
8. Taekwondo
Taekwondo is great for self-defense because it teaches you powerful kicks and fast moves. You can keep bad guys away and protect yourself if you need to. It's like having a set of awesome tools to stay safe.
In Taekwondo, you practice different kicks, punches, and blocks. You also learn cool forms, which are like a series of moves put together. Plus, you get to break boards and show off your skills!
Taekwondo is a type of martial art that comes from Korea. It's all about kicks and punches. Doing Taekwondo can make you stronger, improve your flexibility, and help you learn how to defend yourself.
9. Krav Maga
Krav Maga comes from Israel and is all about quickly stopping an attacker and staying safe. It's sometimes called "The Art Of Staying Alive."
In Krav Maga, you use simple moves like groin kicks and eye gouges to defend yourself. They also teach being aware of your surroundings to avoid problems.
Krav Maga is easy to learn because it's based on natural reflexes. It was made for serious situations, so the moves are simple but work well. It's especially great for women and girls.
Bottom Line
Here you go, these are the 9 Best Martial Arts For Women to learn self-defense. Remember, the main goal is to stay safe if things get dicey.
As for the best age to start, well, there's no strict rule, but beginning when you're younger can help you become really good at it.
Learning martial arts isn't just about defending yourself; it also changes how you handle all sorts of situations in life.
There are many perks for women in martial arts, like knowing how to avoid tough situations. It's not an easy road, and some folks quit early on.
My advice: stick with it. Once your body gets used to the tough training, you might just fall in love with martial arts!